Making and Testing My Own Ethernet Cables (UPDATED)...

Making and Testing my Own Ethernet Cables

Previously on my blog, I have written a couple of posts about making my own Ethernet cables. To get caught up, you can read here, here, and here.

Recently, I bought a LAN Explorer Cable Tester with Remote made by Klein Tools at a Home Depot in Peoria, AZ. After already buying 100 feet of CAT 5e Ethernet cable, a box of RJ-45 connectors, and a Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter, also made by Klein Tools. Buying the cable tester was the final piece of the puzzle for making my own Ethernet cables.

LAN Explorer Cable Tester by Klein Tools

Making Straight-Through and Crossover Cables

I made two different types of Ethernet cable. I made a straight-through cable and a crossover cable. Unfortunately, I didn't label or mark either cable.

The first step I did was cut a three-foot length of Ethernet cable, using the cutter feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter.

Step #1: Cutting a length of Cat 5e Ethernet cable

The second step I did was strip approximately 2 inches of the outer gray jacket from the Ethernet cable, using the stripper feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter.

Step #2: Stripping two inches from the outer jacket

For the third step, I then separated the cables by color (green with green-white, orange with orange-white, blue with blue-white, and brown with brown-white). I then unwrapped the cables and attempted to smooth them out.

Step #3: Separating the cables by color

I then aligned the cables by color, following the cabling pinout standards for T-568A (straight-through) and T-568B (crossover) for both ends of the Ethernet cable.

T-568A and T-568B Pinouts

Putting the cables into the correct order

For the fourth step, it can be really difficult to keep the cables in the correct order. The cables will want to move out of order no matter how flat you make them. Once I had the cables in the correct order, either T-568A or T-568B, then trimmed the cables down to approximately one-half inch in length.

Step #4: Trimming the cables

For the fifth step, you will then want to insert the cables into an RJ-45 connector. After you insert the cables into the RJ-45 connector, you want to make sure that the cables touch the correct contact. You might also have to trim the cables to the correct length. Lastly, make sure that the cables are of a length so that the grey outer layer of the cable goes into the RJ-45 connector.

The sixth step involves inserting the RJ-45 connector into the crimper feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter. Once you do that, you are then ready to squeeze down on the RJ-45 connector. Don't squeeze too hard, however. You will have a difficult time releasing the crimper. You can then remove the RJ-45 connector from the crimper. You have now created an Ethernet cable to either the T-568A or T-568B cabling standard.

Step #6: Crimping the Ethernet cable

Using the Cable Tester

Now, you can use the cable tester to check you work.

Let's see how my Ethernet cables turned out.

I then connected both ends of the Ethernet cable to the RJ-45 jacks on the cable tester. I then pressed the Test button on the cable tester.

For the first Ethernet cable that I tested, I received an OPEN fault indicator. According to the product literature, an OPEN fault indicator will illuminate "if one or more of the conductor wires on the near end are not terminated properly on the far end, or if any of the near-end contact pins are not properly terminated".

Cable Tester Result: OPEN Fault

For the second Ethernet cable that I created, I received a different result from the cable tester. This time, the RJ-45 light under PASS illuminated. In addition, under Fault, I received a MISWIRE fault indicator light. According to the product literature, the MISWIRE light will illuminate "if the cable is not wired to one of the cabling standards or if the conductor wire order on the near end do not match the conductor wire order on the opposite end", e.g., Pin 1 on the near end is wired to Pin 2 on the far end.

Cable Tester Result: RJ-45 PASS, MISWIRE Fault

In Conclusion

While the results from the cable tester are disappointing, the results were expected. Like anything else, making your own Ethernet cables takes practice to get it right. Is it important to know how to make your own Ethernet cables? Of course, it is. You just might find yourself in a situation where you are out of Ethernet cables of a certain length, so you need to make your own. Of course, you might have to make your own Ethernet cable due to an emergency. However, according to recent online networking course I took at the Cisco Networking Academy, making your own straight-through or crossover cables will soon be a thing of the past as newer networking equipment no longer requires the creation of either cable type. Technology has made straight-through and crossover cables redundant.

Another Interesting Graphic from Cisco Networking Academy

Networking Career Path Graphic

Here is another interesting graphic from the Cisco Networking Academy.

This time, the graphic relates to Cisco networking certifications and job roles.

The graphic showed up both in my LinkedIn feed and in my Twitter feed over at @CRyanczak.

Basically, the graphic is trying to give you an idea on how to plan your future career in networking, using certifications and training provided by Cisco.

Cisco Networking Career Path

The graphic is divided into three sections:

• Entry-Level
• Associate-Level
• Professional-Level

Entry-Level

The Entry-Level section consists of what Cisco is calling "Networking Essentials (Version 3.0)". "Networking Essentials" consists of four online courses available from Cisco Networking Academy. The online courses are the following:

• Networking Basics
• Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
• Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
• Network Support and Security

Apparently, these four courses are available as instructor-led courses. That's interesting as I have always assumed that these four courses were only available online. If you want to more information on how to attend these four courses in-person as opposed to online learning, then I suggest that you search around the Cisco Community website. Completing the four "Networking Essentials" online classes is supposed to put you on what Cisco terms the Network Technician Career Path. According to Cisco, these four classes provide a basic technical and theoretical foundation to qualify you for a Network Technician job role (see graphic). Whether these four online classes provide you with enough knowledge to get a network technician job remains to be seen. Thus far, I have completed both the "Networking Basics" and "Networking Devices and Initial Configuration" online classes. Right now, I have recently started "Module 6: Cisco Switches and Routers" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online course. After I complete the fourth online course, Network Support and Security, I am planning on starting to apply for Network Technican job openings in my area and see what happens. Of course, I will post updates right here on my blog as I apply for these jobs. Apparently, there are quite a few data center-related jobs in the Maricopa County area. Hopefully, I will be able to secure a network technician job somewhere in the Glendale-Peoria-Phoenix area.

Furthermore, Cisco maintains that completing the four "Networking Essentials" online courses will prepare you for Cisco's revamped certification for Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) in Networking. A few years ago, I remember when Cisco removed the CCST from its list of certifications. When the CCST certification was withdrawn, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification became the entry-level Cisco certification. Well, the CCST certification is now officially back. The question is will I even bother to pay the $120 testing fee for the certification exam? That is a good question. If you had asked me that question a few months ago, I would have answered in the affirmative. Now, I am not so sure.

As I have worked my way through the four online classes, my opinion on the value of the CCST certification has changed. In the amount of time that I have spent on these "entry-level" classes, I could have just started studying for CCNA back from square one. In other words, I spent A LOT of TIME and EFFORT on these "entry-level" classes, such as taking copious notes in several notebooks, watching all of the training videos, and completing the Packet Tracer exercises. As a result, there has to be some kind of payoff for that kind of effort.

On the other hand, I can say that I have learned A LOT about how computer networking works. If I have to complete another module about the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), then I think that my head will explode. As a result of these online classes, I am a better user of the Packet Tracer software program than I was when I attempted to study for CCNA a couple of years ago.

Getting back to the career progression graphic, I hope to complete the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online course within the next week or so. Once that online course is complete, I will then start the Network Support and Security online course. It is the shortest course of the four.

ADDED BONUS: While these four online classes may be classified as "entry-level", they BLOW AWAY anything offered by CompTIA for their Network+ certification. Believe me, I wasn't a very happy person when I tried to study for the Network+ certification. I still don't know how CompTIA considers the Network+ certification to be an "entry-level" certification, but that's for another blog post at another time.

Associate-Level

Moving on to the Associate-Level section of the career progression graphic...

Predictably, the centerpiece certification of the Associate-Level section is the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Surprised? Shocked?

There are two major ways to study for the CCNA certification. First, you can attend an instructor-led course. Cisco breaks up the CCNA certification into three courses. In sequential order, the classes are:

1. CCNA: Introduction to Networks
2. CCNA: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials
3. CCNA: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation

So, you how do you attend an instructor-led course for these three CCNA classes? The easiest way would be go to Cisco's webpage and then search for instructor-led training in your area. There might be Cisco-authorized providers in your area that specialize in providing training for IT certifications, such as CCNA, A+, Network+, Security+, Microsoft Azure, and so on. You might also find that there is a community college in your area that offers classes that might prepare you for taking the CCNA certification exam. When I make another effort to study for CCNA, I will go through Cisco's website with a fine-tooth comb to find a provider that offers the three training classes for CCNA. Just know going in that the tuition for these three classes is EXPENSIVE. I could be wrong, but I think I remember seeing a $739 price tag from a provider in the Phoenix, AZ area for the CCNA: Introduction to Networks class. Aside from the cost of tuition, you might have to wait weeks or months to attend an instructor-led class at an authornized provider.

Don't want to attend an instructor-led class at a Cisco-authorized provider? Well, Cisco offers these classes online. Again, you will have to pay money to enroll in the CCNA online classes. Cisco doesn't offer these classes for free.

Believe it or not, there is a third option for studying for CCNA. It's self-study. You can purchase the official CCNA certification guides online from Amazon, from Cisco Press, or from a local bookstore. You can then download Cisco Packet Tracer for free from Cisco's webpage. The Cisco webpage has a ton of FREE resources for studying for CCNA. Probably too many. There is a caveat to self-study, however. The caveat is that you have to be very self-disciplined to study for CCNA on your own. It can be a daunting task to study for CCNA by yourself. I tried studying for CCNA by myself a couple of years ago. Once I got to the chapters that covered VLANs and the Spanning Tree Protocol after studying for a couple of months, I got OVERWHELMED. It was a humbling experience. Plus, it didn't help that I always seemed to be busy with work. When I study for CCNA again, I will seriously consider attending an instructor-led course(s).

According to Cisco, once you pass the CCNA certification exam, you are qualified to become a Network Engineer job role.

Congratulations.

Alternatively, according to Cisco's career progression graphic, you can go the DevNet Associate route after completing the CCNA: Introduction to Networks class. Once you pass the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification, you are then qualified to be a DevOps Engineer. What is a DevOps Engineer? I couldn't tell you. In my six years working at the Social Security Administration's Tier 1 IT help desk, I never met anyone that had that certification or wanted to study for that certification.

Here is what Cisco has to say about the DevNet Associate certification from their own website: "Achieving Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification proves your skills in developing and maintaining applications built on Cisco platforms." The DevNet certification covers "the fundamentals of software development and design for Cisco platforms." That description could explain why I haven't met anyone that pursuing that Cisco certification.

Expert-Level

The third section of the career progression chart is labelled as Expert-level.

I have to admit that I don't know much about the CCNP certification. To be honest, the CCNP is not even on my radar.

Here is how Cisco describes the CCNP certification on their own website:

Achieving CCNP Enterprise certification proves your skills with enterprise networking solutions. To earn CCNP Enterprise certification, you pass two exams: one that covers core enterprise technologies and one concentration exam of your choice, so you can customize your certification to your technical area of focus. Candidates must pass the required exams to earn the certification. Having an active Specialist certification does not fulfill the exam requirements for Professional- and Expert-level certifications.

Thus, to achieve the CCNP certification, you must pass the certification exam for 350-401 ENCOR: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies. Then, you must pass the certification exam for one of the following concentrations:

• 300-410 ENARSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services
• 300-415 ENSDWI: Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions
• 300-420 ENSLD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks
• 300-425 ENWLSD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
• 300-430 ENWLSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
• 300-435 ENAUTO: Automating Cisco Enterprise Solutions
• 300-440 ENCC: Designing and Implementing Cloud Connectivity
• 300-445 ENNA: Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance

So, if you achieve the CCNP certification, what can you do with it?

Well, according to Cisco, the CCNP certification trains you to be a... (Wait for it.) Network Administrator.

Finally, if you haven't had enough of studying for CCNA and CCNP, you can then study for the CCIE certification. You can read about the CCIE certification here.

Cisco Packet Tracer and IPv6 Addressing...

Cisco Packet Tracer and IPv6 Addressing

Yesterday, I used Cisco Packet Tracer for the first time in several weeks.

I completed a Cisco Packet Tracer exercise from "Module 4: IPv6" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online class from the Cisco Networking Academy. 

The exercise involved configuring IPv6 on a router, two servers, and four computers.

The exercise was fairly simple. It involved opening the Cisco IOS on the router, activating IPv6, and then setting the IPv6 host address for the router as well as entering the IPv6 address for the default gateway.

After that, it was a simple matter of entering the IPv6 host address and the IPv6 address for the default gateway for each host (the laptop and desktop computers) and the servers.

The last step of the exercise involved running ping tests from each host to ensure that they can contact the internet service provider.

Cisco Packet Tracer and IPv6 Addressing

In Conclusion

All-in-all, the IPv6 addressing exercise was a relatively simple one to execute. Still, it's good to get the feet wet and get some experience using IPv6. For IT, IPv6 is the wave of the future. It's just a matter of time before IPv6 replaces IPv4 when it comes to addressing for computer networks. I will be working on another IPv6 addressing exercise for Cisco Packet Tracer later this morning.

New Ethernet Cable Tester...

New Ethernet Cable Tester

On Monday afternoon, I bought a Klein Tools Ethernet cable tester from a Home Depot in Peoria, AZ. Just as a disclaimer, I refer to anything in Peoria, AZ that is south of Bell Avenue as being located in "South Peoria". I live close to the isthmus that runs between Glendale, AZ and Sun City, AZ that connects "North Peoria" to "South Peoria". Yes, the city boundaries of Peoria, AZ are strange. It would make for an interesting post to investigate why.

Anyway, I bought an Ethernet cable tester because I wanted to test the Ethernet cables that I made using the T-568A and T-568B cabling standards. To put it another way, I made a straight-through cable and a crossover cable. Now, I want to test both cables to see if I did it correctly.

While making the cables, I took a series of photos with my cell phone camera.

In the coming days, I will write a post about making a straight-through cable and a crossover cable.

Stay tuned.

It Has Been a Couple of Days...

It Has Been a Couple of Days

Yes, I am completely aware that I haven't updated my blog over the past couple of days.

In fact, I left my most recent post incomplete.

Then, there are posts that I need to re-write and/or update.

Plus, there is my backlog of posts that I keep intending to write about.

If I don't update my blog, then those posts don't get written.

It's that simple.

Restarting the Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator...

Restarting the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

Last night, I re-acquainted myself with the Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator.

Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

When I started studying for the CCNA certification a couple of years ago, I went ahead and bought a copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator. The CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide from Cisco Press came with a demonstration copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator on an included DVD. The author of the Official Cert Guide, Wendell Odom, recommended trying out the Network Simulator.

After trying out the sample exercises on my Dell laptop, I was impressed enough with the product to download my own copy from Pearson's website.

Creating Your Own Computer Networks

As you study for the CCNA certification, you will eventually want to try to make your own computer network diagram, also called a logical topology diagram, consisting of switches, routers, desktop computers, laptop computers, cell phones, printers, and so on. In addition, you will also want to try using Cisco's command line interface (CLI) program, known as the Cisco IOS, to configure all of those switches, routers, desktop and laptop computers, cell phones, and printers for your computer network. The Cisco IOS looks and feels quite similar to the Command Prompt for Windows. Creating your own logical topology diagram and then properly configuring every device on the diagram are both very important skills to know how to do.

Fortunately, there are several computer programs available that will assist you with both tasks. Just know that there are things to know about each program.

CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

The CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator from Pearson Vue, the program that I recently re-started using, is probably the program to get if you want experience with using the Cisco IOS. Beginning with Chapter 4 of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, you get several exercises per chapter that focus on using the Cisco IOS to accomplish various tasks. For the most part, the exercises guide you step-by-step until completion. The idea is to get the user comfortable using the Cisco IOS. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of commands for the Cisco IOS, so you might as well just jump in headfirst. With each succeeding chapter from the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, the exercises get a little longer and a little more complex. One thing that the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator does not do is let you create your own logical topology diagrams. The program does have logical topology diagrams; however, the diagrams are to illustrate what the network looks like. You cannot make any changes to the diagram. The main focus of the Network Simulator, based on my experience, is getting comfortable using the Cisco IOS. I highly recommend buying a copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator, which will cost you approximately $100 to download from Pearson Vue.

Pearson Vue's CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

Cisco Packet Tracer

You can also use Cisco's Packet Tracer program. Cisco Packet Tracer will let you create your own logical topology diagrams with Cisco-approved icons. With Cisco Packet Tracer, you don't have to use the Cisco IOS to configure devices. Cisco Packet Tracer will let you click on radio buttons and/or manually enter items like IPv4 or IPv6 addresses or default gateways without entering into the Cisco IOS. You can pick and choose what icons you want to have on your diagram and then choose how to connect the devices with the click of a mouse. However, if you want to manually configure a device in the Cisco IOS, you can do that to. In fact, if you configure a device without using the Cisco IOS, Cisco Packet Tracer will automatically generate the appropriate commands in the Cisco IOS. I kid you not. The idea of Cisco Packet Tracer is to replicate the experience of having phyiscal networking equipment on a computer without having to buy networking equipment. Cisco Packet Tracer was designed for users with ZERO netowrking experience. In case you didn't know, many of those home networking kits that you can buy on the internet from vendors can be quite expensive depending on the equipment and the options you want. Best of all, Cisco Packet Tracer is F-R-E-E from Cisco. Yes, Cisco doesn't charge a penny for Cisco Packet Tracer. However, you do have to register with Cisco Networking Academy to download the program. With all of the great things that Cisco Packet Tracer does, do you need to buy your own home networking equipment to experiment with? No, you don't. I have a friend who passed the CCNA certification exam by only using Cisco Packet Tracer. On the other hand, if you can afford to buy a home networking kit, then more power to you. Buying a home networking kit consisting of a router, a couple of switches, and so on is an interesting idea. Perhaps I will write about this topic in another post. Another possible downside to Cisco Packet Tracer could be that if you already have networking experience, you might find Cisco Packet Tracer to be on the simple side of things.

Cisco Packet Tracer Screenshot

Cisco Modeling Labs

In addition to Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco also offers Cisco Modeling Labs. From what I can tell, Cisco Modeling Labs is a more advanced version of Cisco Packet Tracer. Cisco Modeling Labs apparently gives the user more options and greater flexibility in creating networks than what is offered by Cisco Packet Tracer. I have got to admit, the user interface for Cisco Modeling Labs looks pretty slick. There is a downside to Cisco Modeling Labs, however. The downside is that Cisco Modeling Labs is not free. A one-year license for personal use will cost you around $199. Still, that's cheaper than buying your own networking equipment. I have never met anyone who has used Cisco Modeling Labs, so I don't know if the application is worth the money. When the time comes to kick Cisco Packet Tracer to the curb, I might give Cisco Modeling Labs a try.

Cisco Modeling Labs Screenshot

The GNS3 Option

Don't want to use the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator, Cisco Packet Tracer, or Cisco Modeling Labs? Well, GNS3 just might be the networking application you have been looking for. From what I can tell, GNS3 will let you create complex networking topologies with the best of them. It also helps that the graphics definitely catch the eye in a way that Cisco Packet Tracer doesn't. According to the documentation, GNS3 is free and open source. Not only that, GNS3 will provide you with all kinds of options that are not provided by Cisco Packet Tracer. There is an important caveat to mention about GNS3 before you might consider using it. GNS3 does not use the Cisco IOS. If you want to use the Cisco IOS, or any other vendor's CLI, with GNS3, you will have to install Cisco IOS into GNS3. That means either getting a license to use Cisco IOS or copying it from another device. On their website, there is a proclamation that GNS3 is "by network pros for network pros". That statement is a good indicator that GNS3 might not be the best program to use if you are brand new to networking. I see that GNS3 is used by at least 20 high profile organizations for network planning and testing. As a result, you might want to wait until you get some networking experience under your belt before downloading GNS3 onto your laptop. Did I write that GNS3 looks really cool?

GNS3 Networking Diagram

In Conclusion

For now, I will be using both Cisco Packet Tracer and Pearson Vue's CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator for studying for CCNA. At some point, I would like to try out Cisco Modeling Labs.

Module 4: IPv6 Addressing...

Starting New Course Module

Yesterday, I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y started "Module 4: IPv6 Addressing" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting Course from the Cisco Networking Academy.

Module 4: IPv6 Addressing

The first three modules in the online course ("Physical Layer", "Data-Link Layer", and "Routing at the Network Layer") took longer than anticipated to complete.

I am far behind where I want to be in terms of completing this online course.

What is IPv6?

In its simplest form, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the new method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv6 was designed to eventually replace Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), which is/was the most popular method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv4 is starting to lose its usage dominance to IPv6 due to a variety of factors. The main reason why IPv6 is being adopted widely is that we are running out of unique IPv4 addresses to use. Why are we running out of IPv4 addresses to use? Well, for computer netowrks to operate properly, each host on the network needs its own unique IP address IOT communicate with other hosts on the network. Due to the explosion of desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, printers, switches, routers, cell phones, tablets, wearable technology, and the Internet of Things, the pool of available IPv4 addresses has been nearly exhausted. As a result, IPv6 was created to solve the issue of IPv4 address exhaustion. In addition, IPv6 was designed to be more flexible than the rigid structure of IPv4. Thus, IPv6 is in many ways radically different from IPv4, yet IPv6 serves the same purpose. Plus, like everything in IT, the technology changes. When technology changes, there is usually greater flexibility and more options available.

Here are two examples of an IPv4 address:

• 192.168.1.5
• 185.107.80.231

Here are two examples of an IPv6 address:

• 2001:0000:9d38:6ab8:1c48:3a1c:a95a:b1c2
• 0123:4567:89ab:cdef:0123:4567:89ab:cdef

See the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses?

Here is a good chart that shows the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that just happened to show up on my LinkedIn feed recently.

Differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

Anyway, the time to start implementing IPv6 is now.

The time to start learning how to use IPv6 is now.

Like I wrote earlier, the purpose/function of IPv6 is the same as IPv4. However, it is quite different from IPv4 in many ways.

Just know that there is A LOT of information out there on the internet that covers the differences between IPv4 and IPv6. I kid you not. I just might even make my own contribution to about information about IPv6 on the internet. I haven't decided.

That said, I STILL need to read Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14 on IPv4 Addressing in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. I keep putting it off. Well, guess what? That needs to change. I need to sit down and work through those four chapters as IPv4 won't be going away any time soon.

To be honest, when I originally studied for the CCNA certification from Cisco, I got bogged down in the chapters for Part III: Implementing VLANs and STP. Therefore, I never made it to Part IV: IPv4 Addressing.

I will have to work on rectifying that as soon as possible.